Abstract: An apparatus for determining the strength of composite sandwich beam in which an enclosure and insertable bladder is provided. The apparatus comprises positioning a bladder within the enclosure. The beam to be tested is slid through a cutout or aperture of the enclosure with support feet holding the beam in place within the enclosure. The enclosure supports the bladder sides with one face of the bladder pressuring the composite sandwich beam. For testing, water is pumped under pressure through a fitting into the bladder. The tolerances between the beam, enclosure and an extrusion seal do not allow the bladder to squeeze outward with the result being measurable testing pressure on the face of the composite beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the strength of composite sandwich beam in which an enclosure and insertable bladder is provided. The apparatus comprises positioning a bladder within the enclosure. The beam to be tested is slid through a cutout or aperture of the enclosure with support feet holding the beam in place within the enclosure. The enclosure supports the bladder sides with one face of the bladder pressuring the composite sandwich beam. For testing, water is pumped under pressure through a fitting into the bladder. The tolerances between the beam, enclosure and an extrusion seal do not allow the bladder to squeeze outward with the result being measurable testing pressure on the face of the composite beam.

Abstract: A tailcone assembly for an undersea vehicle includes a first tailcone portion having a cavity and a second tailcone portion positionable in and axially extensible from the cavity. An extensible drive shaft is provided for joining the vehicle's engine to a propeller. The extensible drive shaft includes a first drive shaft joined to the engine, and a second drive shaft rotating with the first drive shaft. The second drive shaft is supported by the second tailcone portion and is axially extensible from the first drive shaft upon deployment of the second portion. The propeller is positioned on the second drive shaft outside the second portion. A biasing means is provided between the tailcone portions for deploying the second portion.

Abstract: In a submarine countermeasure vehicle and launch assembly the vehicle includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion provided with a propeller and fins, a hull portion extending between the forward and aft portions, the hull portion being circular in cross-section, and a thrust ring mounted on the fins and around the propeller, the thrust ring forming a convex configuration. The launch assembly includes a launch tube for retaining and launching the vehicle, a ram plate moveable in the launch tube to push the vehicle out an end of the launch tube, the ram plate having an engagement surface for contact with the thrust ring, the engagement surface being at least in part of a concave configuration. In a launch operation, the concave surface of the ram plate engages the convex configuration of the thrust ring.

Abstract: A tailcone assembly for a submarine countermeasure includes a generally hemispherically shaped shell having a planar aft end and an annular open forward end. Fins are fixed to the shell equidistantly around the shell externally thereof, each of the fins having a planar outboard surface extending aft and inboard of the shell. Connector structure is on the forward end of the shell for connecting to an aft end of the countermeasure. A first aperture is disposed in a side of the shell and a cable extends from inside the shell therethrough. A second aperture extends through one of the fins and the cable extends therethrough. An opening is disposed centrally of the shell aft end, extends therethrough, and is adapted to retain a shaft assembly therein.

Abstract: A coil restraint device for a torpedo mounted dispenser of a torpedo assembly is disclosed. The torpedo assembly includes at least a torpedo body, a longitudinal propulsion shaft housed within the torpedo body, and a torpedo mounted dispenser connected to the longitudinal propulsion shaft at the aft end of the torpedo body. The torpedo mounted dispenser houses a wire payout coil and a flex hose surrounds the wire payout coil, a forward end of the flex hose being open and unrestrained. The coil restraint device includes a flexible band member having an inner surface, an outer surface, opposite ends, and opposing longitudinal edges. A strap is provided on the outer surface of the flexible band member, the strap having opposite distal ends extending beyond a length of the flexible band member.

Abstract: A joint band assembly secures payload and drive sections of a torpedo together and subsequently separates them while the torpedo is making a run. A pair of essentially semicircular bands is arranged in a ring shape have radially inwardly extending lip portions that compressively engage circumferential rims radially outwardly extending from a separation section having first and second parts connected to the payload and drive sections. Adjacent ends of the semicircular bands are coupled together by electro-explosive devices (EEDs) that each has a tubular body portion containing an explosive charge adjacent an annular segment of the tubular body portion. The annular segment has reduced thickness as compared to thickness of the tubular body portion to assure its rupture and separation of the body portion and the interconnected bands.